Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been omitted from Chelsea’s squad for the Champions League knockout stages, with manager Graham Potter opting to include January signings Enzo Fernandez, Mykhailo Mudryk and Joao Felix instead. The 33-year-old Gabon striker featured in all six of Chelsea’s group-stage matches, scoring twice, but has since fallen down the pecking order and has not started a game for the club since November 6.
Chelsea’s reshaped squad also excludes French defender Benoit Badiashile, a £35m arrival in January, along with England Under-21 winger Noni Madueke, who joined from PSV Eindhoven for £30.7m. Fellow new signings Andrey Santos and David Datro Fofana have also missed out.
In contrast, Hakim Ziyech has retained his place despite his proposed loan move to Paris Saint-Germain collapsing on deadline day. UEFA regulations allow clubs to register a maximum of three new players for the remainder of the competition, influencing Potter’s final selection.
Chelsea made headlines in January after breaking the British transfer record to sign Argentina World Cup winner Enzo Fernandez from Benfica for £107m. Mudryk joined from Shakhtar Donetsk in a deal worth up to £89m, while Joao Felix arrived on loan from Atletico Madrid to bolster the club’s attacking options.
The Blues will begin their last-16 campaign away to Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday, 15 February, as they look to salvage momentum in Europe following a challenging domestic season.
Elsewhere, Liverpool have added Cody Gakpo, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to their Champions League squad ahead of their last-16 clash with Real Madrid, a repeat of last season’s final. Jurgen Klopp’s side host the Spanish giants at Anfield on Tuesday, 21 February.
Manchester City have included Argentine midfielder Maximo Perrone in their squad for their tie against RB Leipzig, replacing Joao Cancelo, who has joined Bayern Munich on loan and has been named in the German side’s squad.
Tottenham Hotspur have registered loan signings Arnaut Danjuma and Pedro Porro for their Champions League campaign, while AC Milan have left out veteran striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The 41-year-old has yet to play this season following knee surgery last summer, despite playing a key role in Milan’s Serie A title win last term. Milan face Spurs in the last 16, with the first leg scheduled for 14 February at the San Siro.
